Youth2- Youth Helping Youth and Friends of Music are joining hands for an open mic matinee at Caffe Lena on Sunday, May 3rd, from 1-4 pm. The beautiful and historic coffeehouse provides a great venue for youth to perform musical and “spoken word” performances, songs, instrumental tunes, comedy, poetry and improvisation.

The audience will be delighted with the artistic variety and learn about the mission of Youth2- Youth Helping Youth and Friends of Music. Youth2 is an organization that promotes community service among young people, helping them turn their creative dreams to do “good” in the world into reality. Friends of Music’s mission is to prepare 21st century minds through music.

Youth who want to sign up to perform can do so by clicking on this link or you can sign up at the day of the event at 12:30 pm.

Special free grab bags will be handed out to guests. Gourmet food, a 50/50 and “Youth Fun” raffle basket will be offered.

The generosity of the Holiday Match Grant of the Stewart’s Shops and Caffe Lena has made this event possible.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/youth2-offers-unique-grant-writing-opportunity/feed/0Unique Grant Opportunity – “Challenge to Help Young Women”http://www.youthsquared.org/unique-grant-opportunity-challenge-to-help-young-women/
http://www.youthsquared.org/unique-grant-opportunity-challenge-to-help-young-women/#commentsTue, 13 Jan 2015 02:00:35 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1628Unique Grant Opportunity- “ Challenge to Help Young Women” Saratoga Spring’s based non-profit organization Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth will host a challenge, beginning in February 2015 for youth to create service projects to help young girls. Youth2 will be accepting project grants for the “Challenge to Help Young Women” from youth, up to age 22, in Saratoga County with ... Read More

Saratoga Spring’s based non-profit organization Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth will host a challenge, beginning in February 2015 for youth to create service projects to help young girls.

Youth2 will be accepting project grants for the “Challenge to Help Young Women” from youth, up to age 22, in Saratoga County with social action, fund raising or volunteer ideas that will assist young women by providing opportunities or resources to help them progress in life.

In April of 2014, Beverly Lazar Davis, Founder of Youth2 – Youth Helping Youth was honored at the Soroptimists International of Saratoga County with the Ruby Award and was given a financial gift to continue her Youth2 work in promoting social action. Quoted by Soroptimist International, “The Ruby Award honors women who, through their professional or personal activities, make extraordinary efforts on behalf of women and girls. Honorees are women who have worked to improve the lives of other women or girls. Their work has had a significant impact, and also inspires and encourages other women.”

Some of the social issues that impact young women according to Clara Urbahn, a Youth2 Advisory Board member are domestic violence against young girls, child marriage, child sex trafficking, body image, media exploitation, abortion rights, eating disorders, lack of health care, educational tracking, need for self- defense, wage differences/equal pay for equal work, teaching others to accept “no”, helping with college funds, raising awareness of “Man-Up”, lack of empowerment, and pregnant teens.

Youth can participate in a grant writing workshop to help them stimulate thought on social action projects and exchange ideas that would help young women, and/or join together with project ideas on Feb 2 and Feb 9th at the Glasby Room, across from the Children’s Library at Saratoga Springs Public Library, from 3-4:45pm.

The “Challenge to Help Young Women” grant deadline will be on March 1st. Grants of up to $500 will be allocated for the best 3 proposals.

Those who can’t make the meetings at the library but have a great idea to assist young women go to their website www.youthsquared.org and download the grant application. For further inquiries please contact, Beverly Lazar Davis, *protected email*

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/unique-grant-opportunity-challenge-to-help-young-women/feed/0July 2014-WSBR Saratoga Bridges Radio, Youth Programminghttp://www.youthsquared.org/wsbr-saratoga-bridges-radio-youth-programming/
http://www.youthsquared.org/wsbr-saratoga-bridges-radio-youth-programming/#commentsThu, 03 Jul 2014 04:39:29 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=141912-year-old Adam Roy wrote this grant to expand the Internet radio station run by special needs people of all ages. Adam does a 3-hour block of personally chosen music, talk segments and interviews. This gives youth with Asperger’s and Autism a place to share the incredible things they do. This radio show is sure to increase awareness and involve many ... Read More

]]>12-year-old Adam Roy wrote this grant to expand the Internet radio station run by special needs people of all ages. Adam does a 3-hour block of personally chosen music, talk segments and interviews. This gives youth with Asperger’s and Autism a place to share the incredible things they do. This radio show is sure to increase awareness and involve many youth with special needs. Live365.com features Adam’s show in the middle of every day. Money from YouthSquared will assist raising awareness of the radio show and will also purchase better audio software and samples to make it sound more professional.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/wsbr-saratoga-bridges-radio-youth-programming/feed/0Soroptimist Ruby Award 2014http://www.youthsquared.org/soroptimist-ruby-award-2014/
http://www.youthsquared.org/soroptimist-ruby-award-2014/#commentsWed, 09 Apr 2014 14:30:25 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1424In April of 2014, Beverly Lazar Davis was honored at the Soroptimists International of Saratoga County with the Ruby Award. Quoted by Soroptimist International, “The Ruby Award honors women who, through their professional or personal activities, make extraordinary efforts on behalf of women and girls. Honorees are women who have worked to improve the lives of other women or girls. ... Read More

]]>In April of 2014, Beverly Lazar Davis was honored at the Soroptimists International of Saratoga County with the Ruby Award. Quoted by Soroptimist International, “The Ruby Award honors women who, through their professional or personal activities, make extraordinary efforts on behalf of women and girls. Honorees are women who have worked to improve the lives of other women or girls. Their work has had a significant impact, and also inspires and encourages other women. “ Beverly was given a financial gift to continue her work in working with youth in our community. Youth2 will host a challenge for youth to create service projects to help young girls.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/soroptimist-ruby-award-2014/feed/0The 2014 Humanitarian Games – Starts April 1st, 2014http://www.youthsquared.org/the-humanitarian-games/
http://www.youthsquared.org/the-humanitarian-games/#commentsSun, 02 Mar 2014 17:56:29 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1391After months of development, design and planning, we are excited to launch the 2014 Humanitarian Games on April 1st. For one month, participants will travel from non-profit to non-profit completing community service requirements. This represents a unique opportunity for youth, their peers, and families to be introduced to area non-profits and the issues they serve to address. Having direct involvement ... Read More

]]>After months of development, design and planning, we are excited to launch the 2014 Humanitarian Games on April 1st. For one month, participants will travel from non-profit to non-profit completing community service requirements. This represents a unique opportunity for youth, their peers, and families to be introduced to area non-profits and the issues they serve to address. Having direct involvement with a local organization working on poverty, domestic violence or environmental issues, for example will help put these issues in perspective and lay the ground work for a lifelong propensity for service.

Take part in this epic real-world game and hone the ultimate hero habit: compassion. This won’t be easy and only the best people with the most caring of hearts will make it through.

After registration, players can choose one of several challenges. For example, one challenge is to prepare soup in Esperanto’s kitchen to deliver to a local food pantry and to the Shelters of Saratoga (limited to 10 people). After completion of the challenge, players will receive a QR code to scan using their smart phone OR a special code to input on a library or home computer. After scanning the QR codes or inputing the code in your computer, more challenges will be unlocked. Some challenges will also unlock special prizes.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/the-humanitarian-games/feed/0The Humanitarian Games launched at Youth2 Karma Kickoff eventhttp://www.youthsquared.org/the-humanitarian-games-launched-at-youth2-karma-kickoff-event/
http://www.youthsquared.org/the-humanitarian-games-launched-at-youth2-karma-kickoff-event/#commentsFri, 30 Aug 2013 12:20:59 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1383Youth2- Youth Helping Youth is hosting a luncheon fundraiser called “Karma Kickoff” on Saturday, September 14, from 11-3 pm at the Harvest and Hearth restaurant on County Rt. 67. Harvest and Hearth’s famous wood fired artisan pizza and salads will be served. Youth2 will give a presentation on its activities in the community. There will be a debut of the ... Read More

]]>Youth2- Youth Helping Youth is hosting a luncheon fundraiser called “Karma Kickoff” on Saturday, September 14, from 11-3 pm at the Harvest and Hearth restaurant on County Rt. 67. Harvest and Hearth’s famous wood fired artisan pizza and salads will be served. Youth2 will give a presentation on its activities in the community. There will be a debut of the theatrical work “Cycles of Kindness,” written, directed and produced by Lezlie Dana. This date will mark the launch of the “Humanitarian Games,” a new mobile-based game designed to foster social-good action. There will be other fun activities, a raffle, “do-goodie” bags and a “Table of Gratitude.”

The “Humanitarian Games” is a new kind of scavenger hunt, one that takes advantage of modern technology to become involved in local giving and built to appeal to families and young people.

After the Karma Kickoff, during the months of September and October, participants will use their mobile devices to travel around the city to do good deeds for friends, family, strangers and area non-profits. Each participant will be tasked with a challenge, for example, donating at least a can of food to the Franklin Community Center. The organization will then provide the participant with a qr code to scan with their mobile device in order to unlock the next challenge. The next challenge might be something like visiting a senior center to bring flowers or a nice card to a resident. The next might be to tell a friend or a family member how much you appreciate them. At the Karma Kickoff you will learn more, including how to play and the various benefits to players and the community.

Stewarts Shops, the Nordlys Foundation and Adirondack Trust Bank have stepped forward as major sponsors for the Humanitarian Games. The above sponsors have shown leadership and willingness to back a “creative product that connects youth in an innovative fashion to serve their community.” They are helping to educate the young about what the non-profits do in our community. They are increasing the level of youth philanthropy and social giving in our next generation in supporting this project developed by Youth2- Youth Helping Youth and Saratoga Wire.

Youth2- Youth Helping Youth is a Field of Interest Fund formed under the guidance of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Youth2 engages young people to think about issues that they care about, to create and design their own volunteer, social awareness, or fundraising projects to help youth both locally and globally. Youth2 is committed to giving financial and thoughtful support to help interested youth turn their ideas of making the world better into realities. Youth2 is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Adult tickets are $20 and youth, 12 and under, are $12. For ticket information, please call Beverly 518-281-9130. All proceeds will benefit Youth2 as the “Karma Kickoff” supports its core community mission to do good.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/the-humanitarian-games-launched-at-youth2-karma-kickoff-event/feed/0April-May 2013-Youth Helping Youth Meets Injury Prevention Challengehttp://www.youthsquared.org/youth-helping-youth-meets-injury-prevention-challenge/
http://www.youthsquared.org/youth-helping-youth-meets-injury-prevention-challenge/#commentsTue, 07 May 2013 05:24:14 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1373Youth2- Youth Helping Youth collected $2,191.61 for Injury Prevention and participated in a 5K Walkathon held in Toronto on May 5, 2013. Youth2 walked with a team of doctors, nurses, researchers and community advocates of the Hospital for Sick Children. YouthSquared brought home educational information on injury prevention to distribute to elementary, middle and high schools of Saratoga County. Did ... Read More

]]>Youth2- Youth Helping Youth collected $2,191.61 for Injury Prevention and participated in a 5K Walkathon held in Toronto on May 5, 2013. Youth2 walked with a team of doctors, nurses, researchers and community advocates of the Hospital for Sick Children.
YouthSquared brought home educational information on injury prevention to distribute to elementary, middle and high schools of Saratoga County.

Did you know that injury is the leading cause of death for person’s ages 1-44? It is likely that you or someone you know has been touched by injury: a relative killed in a car crash; a neighborhood child who drowned; a colleague who suffered burns from a house fire.

Injuries affect everyone, regardless of age, race, or economic status. In the first half of life, more Americans die from injuries- such as motor vehicle crashes and falls- than from any other cause, including cancer, HIV, or the flu. And deaths are only part of the problems. Each year, millions of people are injured and survive. They are faced with life-long mental, physical and financial problems.

Injuries, including all causes of unintentional and violence-related injuries combined, account for 50.6% of all deaths- that is more deaths than from non-communicable diseases (cancer, heart disease, etc.) and infectious diseases combined. There are more than 180,000 deaths from injury each year, 1 person every 3 minutes. There is an estimated 2.5 million people hospitalized with injury each year and an estimated 31.6 million people treated in the Emergency Department for injury each year. There is an estimated 465 billion cost annually in medical costs and lost productivity.

Research and prevention saves lives. Injuries are so common that we often accept them as just part of life. But many of them can be prevented, and their consequences reduced. We know that research and prevention help. But much work is still needed. For example education in driving safety is needed. In 2008, more than 3000 teens ages 15-19 died as a driver or a passenger of a teen driver. 75% of serious crashes are due to “critical errors” in going too fast, being distracted by cell phones or other teen passengers, lack of scanning needed to respond to hazards. They were not due to poor weather, vehicle malfunction or drowsy driving.

Compared to other leading causes of morbidity and mortality hardly any money is raised for research, education and awareness related to injuries. The only cure for injury is prevention.

Youth2- Youth Helping Youth is a Field of Interest Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Youth2 seeks to transform young people (up to age 22) by giving them the opportunity to participate in meaningful community work. Contributions to Youth2- Youth Helping Youth help fund volunteer, social action or social awareness projects that are proposed, approved and led by young people. What makes Youth2 unique is the kind of participation required by the youth involved. It is the only program of its type in the capital region.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/youth-helping-youth-meets-injury-prevention-challenge/feed/0May 2013-Alopecia Areata Foundation walkathon at SPAChttp://www.youthsquared.org/alopecia-areata-foundation-walkathon-at-spac/
http://www.youthsquared.org/alopecia-areata-foundation-walkathon-at-spac/#commentsFri, 03 May 2013 04:41:03 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1421This very successful event organized by 14-year-old Clara Urbahn raised over $7,500.00 for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disorder that makes one lose their body hair. The monies raised from the fundraiser went to the National Alopecia Areata research program.

]]>This very successful event organized by 14-year-old Clara Urbahn raised over $7,500.00 for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disorder that makes one lose their body hair. The monies raised from the fundraiser went to the National Alopecia Areata research program.

]]>http://www.youthsquared.org/alopecia-areata-foundation-walkathon-at-spac/feed/0April-May 2013-Injury Prevention 5 K Walk/Run- Toronto, Canadahttp://www.youthsquared.org/injury-prevention-5-k-walkrun-toronto-canada/
http://www.youthsquared.org/injury-prevention-5-k-walkrun-toronto-canada/#commentsFri, 03 May 2013 03:35:40 +0000http://www.youthsquared.org/?p=1417The Advisory Council of YouthSquared made a big effort to raise awareness of Injury Prevention and was able to raise $2,191.61 towards increasing educational efforts o reduce child injuries. YouthSquared was able to put together Injury Prevention packets to give out to all elementary, middle and high school nurses of Saratoga County. Representatives of YouthSquared walked with a team of ... Read More

]]>The Advisory Council of YouthSquared made a big effort to raise awareness of Injury Prevention and was able to raise $2,191.61 towards increasing educational efforts o reduce child injuries. YouthSquared was able to put together Injury Prevention packets to give out to all elementary, middle and high school nurses of Saratoga County. Representatives of YouthSquared walked with a team of doctors, nurses, researchers and community advocates of the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.